Image-based and predictive browsing

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for image-based browsing of resources, such as webpages, on a communication device, providing for image-based navigation of recently accessed resources and image-based selection of resources matching partial or complete address strings entered in an input field. Also provided are systems and methods for predictive loading of resources, by detecting browsing actions such as zooming in and hovering over thumbnail images of previously accessed resources, and initiating HTTP requests for those resources over a network before receipt of an express command to retrieve the resource. To improve the user-perceived responsiveness of the device to commands to download and display resources such as webpages comprising embedded objects, the order of requesting updated versions of the embedded objects is determined by analysis of the portion of the webpage of interest to the user. Prioritizing of various browser-related tasks is also disclosed.

Description

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Application No. 61 / 303,957, filed Feb. 12, 2010.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates generally to retrieving content using a browser application, and specifically to predictive retrieval and display of webpage content.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Because webpages, and in particular images or other objects embedded within the pages, are typically downloaded only in response to a user command to download the webpage for display using a client application, the user may experience a delay between the time the command is issued and the time the page is rendered on the display of the client device. This is particularly inconvenient when the data transfer rate between the server and the client device is slow, or when the files to be downloaded to the client device are large. To improve response time, the client application may load cached data in response to the ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Because webpages, and in particular images or other objects embedded within the pages, are typically downloaded only in response to a user command to download the webpage for display using a client application, the user may experience a delay between the time the command is issued and the time the page is rendered on the display of the client device.

This is particularly inconvenient when the data transfer rate between the server and the client device is slow, or when the files to be downloaded to the client device are large.

However, while the user may experience reduced response time, the data rendered and displayed to the user may be obsolete, since it may have been updated at the server after it was last accessed by the client device, requiring download of the entire webpage and all associated content afresh.

However, this results in a delay detrimental to the user's experience.

However, the user may not recall the correct address; even if the user is able to recall a portion of the address, many previously visited resources may have similar addresses, making it difficult for the user to pick out the correct address without some trial and error.

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